Pictures of the new Gillig low-floor buses

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Here's what they look like on the outside. Unfortunetly, since I work nights, it's pretty much impossible to get a daytime shot.

They key identifying features of the Gillig versus the Nova LFS is that the Gillig is a box on wheels. When I say this bus has no rounded edges, I mean it. Even the wheel wells aren't round. (three flat surfaces) The Nova at least has a curved front end. Also, the Gillig will have large pop-out rear doors.

Here's the interior. The major differences is that the seats are padded, and the rear deck has stairs, instead of a slope with seats on platforms.

The rear ramp area was modified, as you can see. It was sloped and dropped down a few inches. The ramp is a flip-out style ramp, and is longer. The lower floor, plus the longer ramp, plus the kneeler reduces the angle enough so that Disney is allowing guests in ECVs and electric wheelchairs to go up in forward. (Subject to change at any given moment)

 

[travelin' tigger]

Look forward to riding them!

 

[DisOrBust]

WE got to ride one that was "12" minutes old according to the driver. The MAJOR problem with this bus is if you are a child standing there is very little area to hang on too. My DDs were tossed around like fisf in a blender. I was surprised that no one at WDW thought about that. Needless to say I was happy to be on the old buses when we had to stand.

 

[Tigger24U]

One thing we noticed when riding the new bus is that when walking towards the rear of the bus people need to be very careful when you get near the ramp area. We had two people stumble because they weren't prepared for a slight step down. Hopefully no one will fall or sprain an ankle when getting on the new buses.

TTFN

 

[johnnyr]

I can't understand why they are putting more and more busses into the transportation system with less available seating. I'm also surprised they have not had a serious accident or hurt child standing on these busses while they are in motion. I’m sorry, but they are down right DANGEROUS! On our last trip, we refused to get on a bus unless our children had a place to sit. They were being tossed around lake rag dolls on the standing type bus. I did everything possible to hold on to them while trying to hold on myself. The bus drivers were packing as many people as they could before departing. Our next trip is with two senior citizens and our two children. The new busses have us concerned as there is no way I am going to let an 80 year old man and 77 year old woman try to balance themselves on one of these vehicles. There are a lot of grandparents going to WDW with their families; I would think they would have taken this into consideration. They seem to be phasing out the original busses that had many seats in favor for the "sardine" type bus.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I can't understand why they are putting more and more busses into the transportation system with less available seating.

Low-floor buses are the only way to go these days. Because of the low floor, there is less area for seating. Standard floor buses are being discontinued by manufacturers. The RTS has not been made in years. Our newest RTS is actually only a 1994 model.

A typical Disney RTS bus with a rear door lift has 41 seats.
A typical Disney low-floor bus with a rear door ramp has 35 seats. A difference of only 6 seats compared to the RTS.

Federal ADA law requires us to have two tie down areas for guests using wheelchairs. Because Disney elects to have the ramp in the rear door, we can only have perimiter seating. The only way to get forward facing seats on the lower deck is to have a front door ramp. This would not work for Disney because many of the mobility devices that our guests use would not be able to board the bus and navigate around the front wheel wells. (Major transportation authorities choose to have the ramp in the front because they don't have the situations that we have... instead, they have paratransit vans that are able to come special for the oversized mobility devices.)

They seem to be phasing out the original busses that had many seats in favor for the "sardine" type bus.

We have not phased out any RTS buses. Our oldest, the 1979 and 1980 model RTS buses, are still running in daily service.

Out of our current fleet, we have 194 RTS standard floor buses, 71 Nova LFS low-floor buses, and 24(?) Gillig Advantage low-floor buses.

 

[sue Z]

Thanks Tyler passing it on to the Boss!!!!
I just printed out the 2 pictures and my Dad said THANK YOU very Much!!!!!!!
and that we will be done in March to get the rest!!!!!!!
He liked the pix's very much!!!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the pictures of these buses. If I remember correctly, we were on one recently with a short bus driver who complained that for the short drivers it's a l-o-n-g reach up to change the sign. Do I remember the bus correctly. I, too, wondered why WDW was going to buses with less seating. Now I know!

 

[sue Z]

Tyler Dad would like to know if the bus has a fleet number and what it is?
while your at it could he possibly get the vin # too lol

 

[jcemom]

The seats look like they may be more comfortable...but I don't see any bars for those who are standing to hold onto. Are there any???

 

[jcemom]

Oh, okay. I looked again and I see it has straps. They do look too high for kids or shorter people to reach though.

 

[John VN]

We got on one of the new busses yesterday when leaving AK to go to FW. Had that new vehicle smell. Seemed to be quieter and no squeaky brakes.

The really interesting thing about this bus was the destination sign. As it approached our stop we couldn't believe that it read RIVER COUNTRY.

John

 

[Santa]

I sure hope the computers on the new Gillig is better than the one on the Nova. On a trip this past weekend I thought we were going to be rearended when the nova we were on just stopped while driving down the road. On three separate occasions from MK to POR the driver had to stop & shut everything down & restart it to reset the computer. The drivers made it sound like it happens everyday.

Lord help those drivers during Pop Warner.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Fleet numbers are 4886-04 through 490_-04. Not sure how many we've received as of yet. I think I've seen up to 4907. They started to add year number to the end of the fleet number.

I am still working on the other info for my roster, I'll keep you updated.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The seats look like they may be more comfortable...but I don't see any bars for those who are standing to hold onto. Are there any???

Yes, they do have vertical bars, and the front end has some really low handrails. For the areas that cannot have vertical bars, there are handstraps.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

We got on one of the new busses yesterday when leaving AK to go to FW. Had that new vehicle smell. Seemed to be quieter and no squeaky brakes.

The really interesting thing about this bus was the destination sign. As it approached our stop we couldn't believe that it read RIVER COUNTRY.

John

The LED destination signs come pre-programmed from TwinVision NA with a programming that dates back to 2000, when code 099 was for River Country. In the 2002 revision, it was changed to Fort Wilderness. The old coding also says "Dixie Landings" instead of Riverside.

It's just a matter of finding the programming card and updating the revision in the sign.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I sure hope the computers on the new Gillig is better than the one on the Nova. On a trip this past weekend I thought we were going to be rearended when the nova we were on just stopped while driving down the road. On three separate occasions from MK to POR the driver had to stop & shut everything down & restart it to reset the computer. The drivers made it sound like it happens everyday.

Lord help those drivers during Pop Warner.

YES, based on experience from other transit bus professionals that I've spoke with, the Cummins ISL on the Gillig is 100x more reliable than the Detroit Diesel Series 40 on the Nova.

And, sadly, it does happen every day. It is quite commonplace these days for the Nova to just crap out on the side of the road. 9 times out of 10, the driver just has to restart the bus, and all will be fine. The problem lies mostly with a design flaw in the bus/engine. If the oil pressure changes too fast (which is normal when you take your foot off the accelerator, and onto the brake), it trips the Check Engine sensor, and cuts off power to the bus. It's a stupid computer, and 9 times out of 10, there's nothing wrong with the engine itself.

Thankfully the Novas are leased... not sure when we're shipping them back to Canada, but I hope it's soon.

 

[clkelley]

I have ridden the new buses several times this week. Twice today!! I also happened to see one of them in training and noticed that the wheelchair ramp has a manual feature so if the ramp motor messes up, they can just pop a lever and flip it over manually!!

That will be really helpful is some cases!!

P.S. I have some daytime interior pictures. Once I get home, I'll figure out how to post them.

Carol

 

[Laz]

I can't understand why they are putting more and more busses into the transportation system with less available seating. I'm also surprised they have not had a serious accident or hurt child standing on these busses while they are in motion. I’m sorry, but they are down right DANGEROUS! On our last trip, we refused to get on a bus unless our children had a place to sit. They were being tossed around lake rag dolls on the standing type bus. I did everything possible to hold on to them while trying to hold on myself. The bus drivers were packing as many people as they could before departing. Our next trip is with two senior citizens and our two children. The new busses have us concerned as there is no way I am going to let an 80 year old man and 77 year old woman try to balance themselves on one of these vehicles. There are a lot of grandparents going to WDW with their families; I would think they would have taken this into consideration. They seem to be phasing out the original busses that had many seats in favor for the "sardine" type bus.

ITA!!!!

I will also add that on a hot, summer day they smell awful! I drive my care to as many places I can because I do not like being moved around like cattle in a frieght car. The best thing about buses are the drivers. They are VERY friendly and knowledgeable. I get a lot of inside tips on WDW.

 

[jcemom]

Yes, they do have vertical bars, and the front end has some really low handrails. For the areas that cannot have vertical bars, there are handstraps.

Thanks Tyler!